Character Takes Center Stage

LISA GODDARD ON STAGE

September 28, 2001|LISA GODDARD ON STAGE

Conflict resolution, peer pressure, responsibility -- elementary school children in Palm Beach County can learn how to deal with them by participating in Locomotion Theatre's character education plays.

Formed in 1986, the Boca Raton company produces children's programs that use comedy and audience participation to capture the kids' attention.

Locomotion Theatre will present three shows this year at the Delray Beach Playhouse.

"We've written and developed these plays to teach and reinforce the character-education curriculum now being presented in the schools," said consulting director and Boca Raton psychotherapist Mark Cherny. "We offer concrete ways for children to address the pressures they may be facing, and through the skits, the characters provide solutions the children may adapt to their own lives."

Cherny, who founded Locomotion Theatre with his wife Andrea Ellison and acts in each of the plays, said comedy is a great way to reach kids.

"The key thing is educating and entertaining at the same time, and laughing and learning is always good," he said.

The first show, Anger Goes to Hollywood, teaches and reinforces conflict-resolution techniques and anger-management skills. The play features three skits.

"The kids' favorite character is a baby, which I play. In the show, my sister takes away my Cookie Monster toy and I become angry and end up calling for help from my mommy," said Cherny. "In the skits, we show different ways of dealing with anger, like calling for help, calming down or walking away from a situation."

Audience participation inspires the students to think. "During the skits, the characters turn to the audience and ask for feedback, and the kids will yell out different ideas," he said. "The interaction helps keep their attention and gets them involved."

The show is scheduled for 9:45 and 11:15 a.m. Oct. 10 and 11, Feb. 13 and 14, March 27 and May 16.

Ellison, who co-wrote the plays with her husband, said the duo drew on Cherny's experience as a psychotherapist to develop shows that would effectively reach their target audiences.

"They were developed through his expertise; because of his background, we were able to put the right ingredients into the plays," she said.

Pressure Points, the second show in the series, highlights methods of dealing with peer pressure and improving self-esteem. Decision-making and the concept that a positive attitude can lead to positive action are emphasized. Show times are 9:45 and 11:15 a.m. Dec. 12 and 13, Feb. 6 and 7, March 28 and April 3.

The final show, The Character Construction Company, focuses on learning how to take responsibility for your behavior.

The show, featuring an audience-participation game show, offers ideas on how to make responsible, personal decisions. The show is at 9:45 and 11:15 a.m. Oct. 17 and 18, Dec. 5 and 6, April 4 and May 15.

The theater is a perfect size for shows of this nature, Ellison said. "It's a fabulous place, one of the most perfect for elementary school students to go on a field trip. It seats about 238 people, small enough for everyone to see and hear well from every seat," she said. "You get a real theater experience without the hassle of a big theater."

Each show runs about 50 minutes. Ticket prices are $4 per child, with one teacher and one chaperone admitted at no charge for each class of up to 30 students.

The Delray Beach Playhouse is at 950 Lakeshore Drive.

Locomotion Theatre also presents its Character Education Series at the Hollywood Central Performing Arts Center in Broward County.